Creswick home games unlikely, says president

CRESWICK Football Netball Club president Peter Considine says the Wickers' home at Doug Lindsay Reserve is unlikely to host matches for the remainder of 2014.

CRESWICK Football Netball Club president Peter Considine says the Wickers' home at Doug Lindsay Reserve is unlikely to host matches for the remainder of 2014.

Doug Lindsay Reserve on Wednesday. Photo - Dylan Burns.

Considine's comments come after Hepburn Shire Council mayor Don Henderson said that it is "highly probable" the club would be able to play out the Central Highlands Football League season at the ground.

"We can't play on this. I look at it now and I think unless there is some serious remedial work between now and Saturday week (next home game), it's not going to happen," Considine said in the middle of a soaked playing arena on Wednesday afternoon.

"There's just too much standing water, and what will happen then is it will be out of bounds for the rest of the season. Even if we did play one game, it's only one game and then it just won't recover."

Considine remains frustrated at council, which he says has not been in contact with him since advising the club to stay off the oval for training early last week.

"I know they've looked at options and certain things, but none of them have involved any phone call to me or to any of the committee to say what's going on," he said.

Considine said with Buninyong scheduled to play at Doug Lindsay Reserve on Saturday, July 5, a decision on the venue needed to be made by the end of this weekend.

He said a return to former home Hammon Park was unlikely because of the work needed to bring the facility back to life, but admitted other grounds would be looked at.

"(Doug Lindsay Reserve) has got a sand top on it and it should be able to drain, but even if it has an issue, we have no plan to address it," he said.

"Is it fit for purpose? It's a winter sport, it should be able to cope with a little bit of rain. It's not the MCG - we don't expect a surface like that - but to not have heard anything is the frustrating part."

Cr Henderson said the football club had strongly lobbied council to vote in favour of a cheaper fix in 2012 when remedial works were required on the ground.

"Sub-surface draining was the preferred option of some of the councillors and the football club lobbied to have the option that's there now done. They've got what they asked for," Cr Henderson said.

Following the Buninyong fixture, Creswick also has home games against Dunnstown on July 19, Beaufort on August 2 and Newlyn on August 16.